Nina stepped out of her room, her hair still damp from the shower and her skin tingling from the cold splash of water.
She felt lighter now, like some of the weight from the past two days had been washed away.
With her Patron's voice echoing in the back of her mind, there was a certain steadiness to her steps—a warmth that had nothing to do with the morning sunlight streaming through the windows.
Today would be better. It had to be.
She padded down the stairs with Fenrir at her heels, still expecting the usual quiet breakfast with Leo and Luna.
Instead, she found her mother standing in the kitchen, arms crossed, eyes narrowed with that classic, you're-about-to-hear-it look on her face.
"There you are. You're late for school, Nina. If you don't leave now, you're going to miss first period."
Her mother's tone was crisp.
Nina blinked.
"What?"
Her mother gave her a pointed look.
"You heard me. Get your bag. You don't have much time."
